Nurse receiver and header for air seeders

ABSTRACT

A nurse receiver header for an agricultural planting implement is cooperable with a nurse mechanism that conveys a stream of seeds entrained in an air stream from a central hopper. A receiver is positioned at the planting mechanism to receive the seeds entrained in the air stream and accumulate a supply of the seeds for utilization by the associated planting mechanism. The receiver header may include a vent for dissipating the air stream when receiving the seeds for distribution to the receiver. The vent is provided with a hood to keep contaminants from entering the vent and passing into the planting mechanism. The receiver header is positioned so that an appropriate supply of seeds for the planting mechanism fills the tube between the receiver header and the receiver including the vent, resulting in a decreased volume of discharged air for the air stream and a diminished ability for the nurse mechanism to convey seeds. The receiver header can be configured to service multiple receivers. The receiver header is mounted at an angle inclined to the vertical when in an operating position such that the receiver header can be rotated through an angle in the range of 70-110 degrees to a transport position without inverting the receiver header, thereby retaining the seeds accumulated in the receiver.

This application now claims benefit of Provisional application Ser. No.60/107,154 filed Nov. 5, 1998,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to air seeders for planting seeds inthe ground in an agricultural environment and, more specifically, to anurse system cooperable with a planter mechanism to feed seed or otherparticulate material to a planting mechanism for insertion of thatmaterial into the ground.

As the size of agricultural implements continues to grow, theversatility of such implements becomes more significant. Large airseeders have become increasingly popular for the planting of seeds,fertilizer and other product without strict regard for the exactplacement of the seeds particles. For crop planting operations thatrequire seed singulation, nurse systems are used to feed seed or otherparticles from larger hoppers into smaller reservoirs located at thesingulators. A nurse system enables an air cart typically used fordryland farming, (cereal crops, etc.), to be adapted for use in row cropplanting applications, such as, for example, corn and soybean. A nurseinductor system can be used to enable a farmer to singulate on-row, withone central hopper filling location, and to plant more acres beforehaving to stop to fill the central hopper again, resulting in quickerplanting and less labor, while maintaining the precision spacingavailable by on-row singulation.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,473, a nurse system is disclosed which works offa specialized cart. The air comes into the seed delivery area coaxialwith the seed tube that takes the air and seed to the row units. Withthis system substantial energy is used to nurse the seed since the airchanges direction abruptly. This particular nurse system provides adedicated fan to feed the 12 rows to be planted from the nurse system.This system requires the adding or removing of shims to obtainadjustment for different seeds, which is difficult and inconvenient toaccomplish. U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,102 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,181 teachother nurse embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a nurse receiver headercooperable with a nurse induction system for use with planters requiringsingulation of the seeds for planting in the ground.

It is a feature of this invention that the nurse induction systemenables the use of an existing air cart for nursing seeds to individualplanter units in a passive manner.

It is another feature of this invention that a small amount of seed isheld in a receiver at the planter.

It is an advantage of this invention that the small amount of seedretained at the planter facilitates the clean-up of the planter.

It is another object of this invention to enable a singulating plantingmechanism to be used in conjunction with an air cart.

It is another advantage of this invention that the nursing system wouldnot require the addition of active controls for the nurse inductionmechanism, the system being self-regulating without any externalelectronic control systems being necessary.

It is another feature of this invention that a vent is provided todissipate the air stream delivering seed particles from the air cart sothat the seed particles can drop by gravity into the receiver for theplanting mechanism.

It is still another advantage of this invention that the vent can beformed as part of the receiver structure or the structure of thereceiver header.

It is still another advantage of this invention that the induction ofseed or other particulate product is accomplished more evenly andconsistently, thereby reducing the possibility of plugging of the lines.

It is yet another advantage of this invention that the air usagerequired by the nurse induction system is reduced, so that the existingfan on the air cart can be used for both nursing and the application ofparticles from the other air cart hopper.

It is still another feature of this invention that the wings of theplanter unit can be folded without the need to empty particles out ofthe planter hopper first.

It is yet another advantage of this invention that the planter can befolded with the wings pivoted closer to the first row unit on the wingsection of the planter row unit without interference between the planterseed reservoirs.

It is still another advantage of this invention that more than oneplanter singulator can be fed with one nurse inductor line, thusenabling the development of a wider planter toolbar with substantiallymore planter units than previously available.

It is a further advantage of this invention that the nurse inductormechanism can be used on an air cart used in dryland farming.

It is yet another feature of this invention to provide a hood for thevent to keep rain and contaminants from entering the vent.

It is still a further advantage of this invention that the small supplyof seed at the receiver is kept clean.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide nurse receiverheader for an agricultural planting implement which is durable inconstruction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance,facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use.

These and other objects, features and advantages can be accomplishedaccording to the instant invention by a nurse receiver header for anagricultural planting implement is cooperable with a nurse inductormechanism that conveys a stream of seeds entrained in an air stream froma central hopper. A receiver is positioned at the planting mechanism toreceive the seeds entrained in the air stream and accumulate a supply ofthe seeds for utilization by the associated planting mechanism. Eitherthe receiver header or the receiver structure includes a vent fordissipating the air stream when receiving the seeds for distribution tothe receiver. The vent is provided with a sheltering device to keepcontaminants from entering the vent and passing into the plantingmechanism. The receiver header is positioned so that an appropriatesupply of seeds for the planting mechanism fills the tube between thereceiver header and the receiver, resulting in a decreased velocity forthe air stream and a diminished ability for the nurse inductor mechanismto convey seeds. The receiver header can be configured to servicemultiple receivers. The receiver header is mounted at an angle inclinedto the vertical when in an operating position such that the receiverheader can be rotated through an angle in the range of 70 to 110 degreesto a transport position without inverting the receiver header, therebyretaining the seeds accumulated in the receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration ofthe following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a typical air seeder mechanism onwhich a nurse induction mechanism incorporating the principles of theinstant invention is mounted;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the nurse induction systemdepicted in FIG. 1, the arrows depicting the direction of air flowthrough the mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nurseinduction mechanism shown in FIG. 2 to depict the flow of air and seedthrough the uppermost seed distribution tubes leading to the plantingmechanism, the arrows depicting the direction of air flow through themechanism;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view similar to that ofFIG. 3 except depicting the flow of air and seed through the lowermostseed distribution tubes to the corresponding planting mechanism, thearrows depicting the direction of air flow through the mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the divider wall portion of the nurseinduction apparatus to depict the divider walls separating the uppermostand lowermost seed distribution tubes;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the particle hopper side of the nurseinduction unit, with the exterior induction box wall removed, the nursedistribution lines being oriented in vertical pairs to leave open spacebetween the lines for the particles to pass through;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outlet side of the nurse inductionunit seen from the exterior of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a typical planting mechanismadapted for operative association with the nurse system depicted in FIG.1 and incorporating the principles of the instant receiver headerinvention, the side wings of the planting mechanism being foldedupwardly relative to the central section to place the planting mechanismin a transport position;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the planting mechanism depicted inFIG. 8 except with the side wing sections being folded down into anoperative position;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of the nurse system receiverapparatus corresponding to the circled mechanism within FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the nurse system receiverassembly;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front elevational view of the nurse systemreceiver assembly shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view of the nurse systemreceiver assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the nurse system receiver headerassembly;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the nurse system receiver headerassembly shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the nurse system receiver headerassembly shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the nurse system receiver header assemblyshown in FIG. 14; and

FIGS. 18a-d are perspective, side and front elevational, and top planviews of the nurse system receiver header assembly vent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, the principles of the nurse inductionapparatus can best be seen. The nurse induction adapter is mounted on aconventional air seeder, air cart, and redirects the air stream 13coming from the fan 11 in an air cart box 16 into a path that leadsthrough the nurse inductor 20. The air stream is guided into a nozzleregion 30 that directs the air along a flow path that tangentiallyengages a pile of seed particles S exiting the opening 19 at the bottomof the seed hopper 12. The turbulence of the blast of air from thenozzle 30 loosens the seed particles from this assemblage of seedparticles S exiting the opening 19 in the bottom of the seed hopper 12,entraining the individual seed particles into the air stream as itfollows a path to the distribution lines 22 above the seed particlepile. The individual seed particles remain suspended in the air streamwhere the air bleeds off and the individual seed particles fall bygravity into a second pile or mass at the planting mechanism.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-7, the air stream 13 through the nurse inductorapparatus 20 is split at the general location of the seed particle massat the bottom of the central seed hopper 12 on the air cart 10 intoindividual sections 31 that are isolated by generally vertical walls 32.Each individual section 31 leads to a different seed distribution tube22 and, ultimately, to a different receiver header 45 and associatedreceivers 40. The nurse inductor 20 induces seed particles into the airstream when and where there is demand for the particles. The demand forparticles is controlled by the level of product in each respectivereceiver on the output end of the seed distribution tube. When thereceiver 40 is full, air is restricted from escaping from the seeddistribution tube by the massed seed particles within the seeddistribution tube. As a result of the filled receiver 40, which preventsthe passage of air there through, the air flow and air velocity reducedue to increased pressurization of the line. This resultant reduction inpotential air pressure reduces the capacity of the flow of air to inducethe seed particles into the corresponding seed distribution tube 22.Since the flow of air through the nurse inductor 20 is spread across theentire unit, the flow of air will tend to go to the lines that have openreceivers because of the less airflow resistance.

The divider walls 32, that separate the air and entrained seed particleflows to each respective seed distribution tube 22, are sealed such thatair cannot get into the seed distribution tubes 22 downstream of thepickup area. The sealed vertical walls 32 also prevent cross over of airand entrained seed to different seed distribution tubes 22. Thisdivision of airflow enhances operation since each line is operable torun at different times, depending on demand as represented by the massedseed particles in the output end of the seed distribution tubes 22.

The shape of the air and entrained seed particle flow path has an impacton the performance of the inductor. When the receiver 40 is filled toallow only a small volume of air to flow through the receiver, air aloneis still capable of traveling through the lines, through the massed seedparticles and past the seed particles at the vent. If seed particleswere to be allowed to be induced into the lines with airflows that areless than carrying velocity, a blocking of the seed distribution tubes22 can occur. This problem of blocking the seed distribution tube 22 canbe avoided by forming the portion of the inductor structure, just abovethe area adjacent to the bottom of the central seed hopper where theindividual seed particles are entrained into the airflow, larger so thatthe air velocity slows down in this region.

With the slowed air velocity, any seed particles that had been entrainedinto the slow flowing air stream fall out of the airflow and are droppedback into the seed particle mass region. Thus, the seed particles arepicked up and carried by the air stream only when the air velocity isabove the minimum carry velocity, thereby allowing air to be flowingslowly without transporting any entrained seed particles into the fullseed distribution tube. Correspondingly, the cross-sectional area of theseed distribution tubes is smaller than the cross-sectional area betweenthe generally vertical walls dividing the plenum into discreet channels.As a result, the air velocity increases once entering the seeddistribution tube, allowing the seed particle to be retained within theair stream once it enters the seed tube.

The regulator 25 for the flow of seed particles into the area forentrainment within the air stream is defined by a movable gate 29forming a common edge along which seed particles flow into the particlepick-up area. The product regulator 25 extends across the entire nurseinduction apparatus 20. As the seed particles flow under the productregulator, the seed particles form a pile falling naturally at the angleof repose of the seed particles. The angled surface of the pile of seedparticles forms the bottom wall of the air channel in the pick-up area.The proximity of the air nozzle 30 to the wall of product affects theamount of product carried in the air stream. As the regulator 25 isrotated and more or less product is permitted to pass through theopening 19 a at the bottom of the central seed hopper 12, the seedparticles fall either closer to or farther from the air nozzle 30. Sincedifferent products, such as different seed types, have properties thataffect how easily the air stream picks them up, as well as thedifferences in the angle of repose at which the products slump, theideal distance between the product surface and the air nozzle varieswith the product being distributed. The product regulator 25 isadjustable to enable the optimum distance to be set for each producttype, as well as the desired flow rate.

As the air stream 13 strips the product away close to the bottom of theproduct regulator 25, product from the hopper 12 replenishes the createdcavity. The closer to the bottom of the regulator 25 the product isstripped away, the more quickly the product is replenished. Thus, whenthe regulator 25 is positioned correctly for the specific type ofproduct being nursed, the induction of product into the air stream isrelatively steady. During testing, it was found that steady induction ofproduct into the air stream reduced plugging problems within thedistribution tubes 22 while maximizing product delivery efficiency.

The product regulator 25 is located on the hopper side of the inductionbox so that it does not interfere with the seal of the divider walls 32.The product regulator 25 is formed as a single crescent shaped plate 29that extends across the entire width of the induction unit 20. Theregulator plate 19 is attached to a shaft that is rotated by an externalhandle 28. Thus, the flow of product across the induction box iscontrolled with the adjustment of a single handle 28. As a result, theflow rate of seed particles can be controlled for all of the tubes 22simultaneously, and can be completely shut-off to permit clean-outduring which process the air will still be guided through thedistribution tubes 22 without carrying seed particles. The rotatableregulator plate 19 can be adapted easily for remote control byappropriate actuators connected to the regulator 25. Such aconfiguration is particularly advantageous in precision farmingpractices, as the flow of seed particles through the seed distributiontubes 22 can be turned on and off easily. Alternatively, the regulator25 could be configured to control the flow of air through the nozzle 30instead of the flow of seeds.

The generally vertical divider walls 32 are constructed such that thenurse inductor apparatus is made in pair segments that are stacked tofit the width of the induction box. The vertical nature of this modulardesign allows the inductor apparatus to be compact. The modularity ofsuch a design allows the nurse inductor to be easily adapted todifferent widths and numbers of product lines, including a compactinduction box width having a large number of product lines. To allowmore space on the particle hopper side of the inductor unit, thedistribution tubes 22 forming the outlet pipes are stacked in verticalpairs. The additional space between outlet pipes reduces bridging of theparticles as they flow past the pipes and into the region of the productregulator 25. Each distribution tube 22 is independent. The walls 32dividing the distribution tubes are curved to direct the air andentrained seed particle stream as shown in FIG. 5. The air and entrainedseed make relatively small directional changes in the inductorapparatus, which improves the efficiency of the air system. Thisefficiency enables both the nursing of more than 12 rows and the use ofthe second air cart tank for simultaneous fertilizer operations.

Alternatively, the nurse induction unit 20 is adaptable for use with astand-alone tank, as well as for with an air cart. Furthermore, thenurse induction unit 20 can also be adaptable to other planter units. Asbest seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the nurse induction apparatus is preferablyformed as a modular unit that can be inserted into a standard air cartstructure to convert the air cart from a straight meter box into a nurseinduction box. The conventional air delivery tubes 17 are sealed andremain on the air cart 10, while the nurse induction unit 20 isinterposed to receive the air stream 13 from the fan 11. A connectionmechanism 16 facilitates the convenient connection of the nurse unit 20to the air cart 10 as a modular component.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the instant invention is notlimited to the conveyance of seed particles, as other particulate matteris commonly distributed through an air cart system, such as fertilizer.Furthermore, the typical air cart 10 is provided with multiple hoppersor tanks containing different product to be planted in the ground. Onetank could have seed stored therein, while another tank would havefertilizer and yet another tank could have herbicides or still anotherreservoir of fertilizer. In such multi-tank configurations, one of thetanks could be provided with a nurse induction unit 20 to convey seedsto the planting devices, while a conventional meter box is used tocontrol the flow of fertilizer or other product to the planting devicesby separate distribution tubes. Such a conventional meter box couldapply the fertilizer or other product at a variable rate and could becontrolled by an electronic controller, as is known for precisionfarming techniques. Other alternative configurations can include onetank nursing seed to all the singulators, as well as multiple tanksnursing seeds to any one particular singulator.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-18d, the nurse system receiver 40 and receiverheader 45 can best be seen. The receiver 40 and receiver header 45 areused in conjunction with the nurse inductor system 20, such as the onedescribed above. One skilled in the art will recognize that the header45 is needed in configurations where the flow is to be split betweenmultiple receivers. The nurse inductor 20 sends an air and entrainedparticle stream to the receiver 40 when the receiver has less than adesired level of product particles in it. The receiver header 45 isdesigned to allow air from the air and entrained product particle streamto escape when the particle level is below the air vent, but to limitthe amount of air to escape when the particle level is above the airvent 50.

The receiver 40, as shown in FIGS. 11-13, provides a small mass of seedsin the location of the singulator pickup area 41. The seeds S are massedin the receiver 40 and in the line 42 from the receiver 40 up to thereceiver header 45, which is the start of the leg 46 in the header Y.When the seeds are accumulated up to the top of the leg 46, they blockthe flow of air through the air vent 50 near the header bottom. When theair does not flow freely through the air vent 50, the flow of particlesfrom the nurse inductor unit diminishes as described above. Only thesmall flow of air that can escape through the particles and vent 50 willcontinue to flow. This airflow is too low to entrain or pick-upparticles.

If only one leg 46 of the Y is full, particles will continue to benursed into the empty leg 47 until the air vent 50 is covered in thesecond leg 47 also. Then, the airflow to the header 45 will drop off andparticles will not be sent in the nurse line 22 until such a time thatone of the receivers 40 is emptied below the level where its air vent 50is free. The nurse line 22 leading to the receiver header 45 is smallerthan the lines 42 between the header 45 and the receiver 40 to reducethe velocity of the air flow at the receiver header 45, thus allowingthe entrained seed particle to drop out of the air stream and fall begravity to the receiver 40. To stop blocking of particles in the nurseline 22, the receiver header 45 is mounted such that the inlet line 48is always vertically above the 10 outlet lines 42, regardless of theimplement position. As best seen in FIGS. 8-10, the header 45 is mountedsuch that it sits at an angle inclined to the vertical in operatingposition. The mounting of the header 45 also permits the header 45 to bemoved through vertical to an opposite angle to the vertical in thetransport position, which typically involves the rotation of the headerthrough an angle in the range of 70 to 110 degrees, or approximately 90degrees. The header 45 never inverts to allow particles to flow out ofit back down the nurse line 22 which would cause plugging. The headermount design enables folding of the planter P into transport with fullreceivers 40. The header 45 never inverts, so the seed particles S stayin the receivers 40 when the planter P is moved between transport andoperative positions.

The vent hood 52 makes a roof over the vent 50 to allow the air to bevented out and guard against rain and contaminants getting in. Theorientation of the receiver header 45 always keeps the hood 52 openingfacing down, even when the toolbar is rotated into transport. Otherembodiments may use receiver headers 45 that are single or triple, orother variations. It is also possible that the vent and rain guard maybe incorporated directly into the receiver design if a separate headeris not desirable. The single design would be mounted at an angle toprovide a similar function to trap seed particles when moving into andout of transport. The single design would also preferably incorporatethe vent and rain hood in a manner similar to the double configurationdescribed above. Since the single configuration would feed only a singlereceiver, it would be desirable to mount the header directly onto thereceiver or to incorporate the header into the receiver design. Thetriple configuration would be similar to the double configurationdescribed above with the addition of one single leg.

The nurse inductor 20 enables the use of a standard air cart 10 for boththe central hopper and the nurse system air source. The air cart fan canbe used for both fertilizing and nursing operations simultaneously. Theinductor 20 can be designed in an adapter arrangement, which enables theair cart 10 to be readily converted from a roller type metering systemto the nurse inductor system, and vice versa. The change to the cart toenable nurse induction is not permanent and does not require the use oftime-consuming threaded fasteners.

It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps andarrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated toexplain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made bythose skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within theprinciples and scope of the invention. The foregoing descriptionillustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however,concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in otherembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. In anagricultural seeding implement having a frame adapted for movement overthe ground; a hopper supported on said frame for carrying a supply ofseed, said hopper having a lower portion including a discharge openingthrough which seed particles pass to exit said hopper; a mechanismsupported on said frame for creating a flow of air through a conduit;and a remote planting mechanism engageable with the ground for theplanting of seeds therein, the improvement comprising: a nurse mechanismsupported on said hopper to communicate with said discharge opening andsaid conduit to receive seeds from said hopper and intercept the flow ofair coming from said mechanism for creating an air stream through saidnurse mechanism, said nurse mechanism entraining seeds within said airstream for conveyance through a discharge tube in flow communicationwith said nurse mechanism; a receiver at said planting mechanism in flowcommunication with said discharge tube to receive seeds entrained insaid air stream, said receiver accumulating a supply of seeds forutilization by said planting mechanism; a receiver header operativelycoupled with said discharge tube and with said receiver to direct seedsentrained in said air stream toward said receiver; and a vent for thedissipation of said air stream, said vent being located so that saidseed can fall by gravity into said receiver, said vent being operativelycoupled to said receiver so that when said supply of seeds in saidreceiver covers said vent, seeds are no longer conveyed to said receiverby said nurse mechanism.
 2. The seeding implement of claim 1 whereinsaid nurse mechanism is configured such that said air stream is requiredto have a predetermined velocity in order to entrain said seeds therein,the operative coupling of said vent to said receiver allowing the flowof air to be slowed below said predetermined velocity when said supplyof seeds covers said vent causing said nurse mechanism to cease theconveyance of seeds toward said planter mechanism.
 3. The seedingimplement of claim 2 wherein said discharge tube has a smallercross-sectional configuration than said receiver header so that thevelocity of said air stream decreases when entering said receiverheader.
 4. The seeding implement of claim 3 wherein said vent furtherincludes a hood covering said vent to minimize the entrance ofcontaminants into said vent.
 5. The seeding implement of claim 4 whereinsaid hood is arranged such that said vent is covered by said hoodirrespective of the position in which said receiver header is oriented.6. The seeding implement of claim 5 wherein said vent and said hood areformed as part of said receiver header.
 7. The seeding implement ofclaim 5 wherein said vent and said hood are formed as part of saidreceiver.
 8. The seeding implement of claim 2 wherein said flow pathreceiver header is formed with multiple outlets for connection thereofto a corresponding number of said planter mechanisms, said vent beinglocated in each said outlet adjacent to said receiver header.
 9. Theseeding implement of claim 8 wherein the volume of said air ismaintainable through said receiver header unless all of said outlets arefilled over the vent.
 10. The seeding implement of claim 9 wherein saidreceiver at said planter mechanism contains a supply of seeds for asingulator in said planting mechanism.
 11. The seeding implement ofclaim 2 wherein said receiver header is mounted at an angle inclined tothe vertical in an operating position such that said receiver header canbe rotated through an angle in the range of 70-110 degrees to atransport position without inverting said receiver header, therebyretaining said seeds between said supply of seeds between said receiverand said receiver header.
 12. The seeding implement of claim 11 whereinsaid vent is formed in said receiver header, said receiver headerfurther including a hood covering said vent to minimize the entrance ofcontaminants into said vent.
 13. The seeding implement of claim 12wherein said hood is arranged such that said vent is covered by saidhood irrespective of the position in which said receiver header isoriented.
 14. In an agricultural implement for planting seeds into theground and having a hopper for transporting a first supply of seeds, anair flow mechanism for creating a flow of air through a conduit toengage said first supply of seeds to entrain said seeds into a stream ofair; and a planting mechanism to receive said flow of air and entrainedseeds, the improvement comprising: a receiver header in flowcommunication with said air flow mechanism and a secondary reservoir,said receiver header being operable to direct the flow of seedsentrained in said air flow to at least two secondary reservoirs; a ventoperatively coupled to each said reservoir and being operable todissipate the air from said air stream and allow the entrained seeds tomove into said secondary reservoir, said vent being located relative tosaid receiver header and the corresponding reservoir so that when saidsupply of seeds in said reservoir covers said vent, seeds are no longerconveyed to said reservoir; and said planting mechanism having asingulator for controlling the spacing of seeds being planted into theground, the reservoir operatively coupled with said singulator providinga second supply of seeds for engagement by said singulator.
 15. Theagricultural implement of claim 14 wherein said vent is formed in saidreceiver header for the dissipation of said air stream, said vent beinglocated so that said seed can fall by gravity into said receiver. 16.The agricultural implement of claim 14 wherein said nurse mechanism isconfigured such that said air stream is required to have a predeterminedvelocity in order to entrain said seeds therein, the operative couplingof said vent to said receiver allowing the flow of air to be slowedbelow said predetermined velocity when said supply of seeds covers saidvent causing said nurse mechanism to cease the conveyance of seedstoward said planter mechanism.
 17. The agricultural implement of claim16 wherein said flow path receiver header is formed with multipleoutlets for connection thereof to a corresponding number of said plantermechanisms, said vent being located in each said outlet adjacent to saidreceiver header.
 18. The agricultural implement of claim 17 wherein thevolume of said air is maintainable through said receiver header unlessall of said outlets were filled to the corresponding said vent.
 19. Theagricultural implement of claim 18 wherein said receiver header ismounted at an angle inclined to the vertical in an operating positionsuch that said receiver header can be rotated through an angle in therange of approximately 90 degrees to a transport position withoutinverting said receiver header, thereby retaining said seeds betweensaid supply of seeds between said receiver and said receiver header. 20.The agricultural implement of claim 19 wherein said receiver headerfurther includes a hood covering said vent to minimize the entrance ofcontaminants into said vent.
 21. The agricultural implement of claim 20wherein said hood is arranged such that said vent is covered by saidhood irrespective of the position in which said receiver header isoriented.
 22. A seeding implement comprising: a mobile frame adapted formovement over the ground; a mechanism mounted on said mobile frame forcreating and channeling a stream of air through a conduit; a hoppersupported on said mobile frame for carrying a supply of seed particles,said hopper having a discharge opening for the passage of said seedparticles; a planting mechanism for planting seeds into the ground, saidplanting mechanism having a singulator for spacing the planting of saidseeds into the ground; a nurse mechanism operatively engaged with saidhopper to communicate with said discharge opening and said conduit toreceive seeds from said hopper and intercept the flow of air coming fromsaid mechanism for creating an air stream through said nurse mechanism,said nurse mechanism entraining seeds within said air stream forconveyance through a discharge tube in flow communication with saidnurse mechanism; a receiver operatively coupled to said singulator atsaid planting mechanism in flow communication with said discharge tubeto receive seeds conveyed from said nurse mechanism through saiddischarge tube, said receiver accumulating a supply of seeds forutilization by said singulator; and a receiver header operativelycoupled with said discharge tube and with said receiver to direct seedsentrained in said air stream toward said receiver, said receiver headerhaving a vent therein for the dissipation of said air stream, said ventbeing located so that said seed can fall into said receiver after theair is dissipated from said air stream, the filling of said receiverwith a supply of seeds sufficient to cover said vent halting the flow ofair and entrained seeds to said reservoir.
 23. The seeding implement ofclaim 22 wherein said nurse mechanism is configured such that said airstream is required to have a predetermined velocity in order to entrainsaid seeds therein, the operative coupling of said vent to said receiverallowing the flow of air to be slowed below said predetermined velocitywhen said supply of seeds covers said vent causing said nurse mechanismto cease the conveyance of seeds toward said planter mechanism.
 24. Theseeding implement of claim 23 wherein said flow path receiver header isformed with multiple outlets for connection thereof to a correspondingnumber of said planter mechanisms, each said outlet having one of saidvents therein for utilization with the corresponding said plantermechanism, said air velocity being maintainable through said receiverheader unless all of said outlets were filled to the vent.
 25. Theseeding implement of claim 24 wherein said receiver header furtherincludes a hood covering each said vent to minimize the entrance ofcontaminants into the corresponding said vent.
 26. The seeding implementof claim 25 wherein said receiver header is mounted at an angle inclinedto the vertical in an operating position such that said receiver headercan be rotated through an angle in the range of 70 to 110 degrees to atransport position without inverting said receiver header, therebyretaining said seeds between said supply of seeds between said receiverand said receiver header.
 27. The seeding implement of claim 26 whereineach said hood is arranged such that the corresponding said vent iscovered by said hood irrespective of whether said receiver header isoriented in said operating position or in said transport position. 28.The seeding implement of claim 27 wherein said discharge tube has asmaller cross-sectional configuration than said receiver header so thatthe velocity of said air stream decreases when entering said receiverheader.
 29. An agricultural implement for planting seeds into the groundcomprising: a hopper for transporting a first supply of seeds; an airflow mechanism for creating a flow of air through a conduit to engagesaid first supply of seeds to entrain said seeds into a stream of air; aplanting mechanism to receive said flow of air and entrained seeds, saidplanting mechanism having a singulator for controlling the spacing ofseeds being planted into the ground; a reservoir operatively coupledwith said singulator to provide a second supply of seeds for engagementby said singulator, said air flow mechanism directing said flow of airand entrained seeds to said reservoir; and a vent for the dissipation ofsaid air stream, said vent being located so that said seed can fall bygravity into said receiver, the filling of said receiver with sufficientseeds to cover said vent effecting a halting of the flow of air andentrained seeds to said reservoir.
 30. The agricultural implement ofclaim 29 further comprising: a hood covering said vent to minimize theentrance of contaminants into said vent.
 31. The seeding implement ofclaim 31 wherein said vent and said hood are formed as part of saidreceiver.
 32. The seeding implement of claim 30 further comprising: areceiver header in flow communication with said air flow mechanism andwith said reservoir to direct seeds entrained in said air stream towardsaid receiver, said receiver header being operatively connected with aplurality of receivers.
 33. The seeding implement of claim 32 whereinsaid vent and said hood are formed as part of said receiver header. 34.The seeding implement of claim 32 wherein said hood is arranged suchthat said vent is covered by said hood irrespective of the position inwhich said receiver header is oriented.
 35. An agricultural implementfor planting seeds into the ground comprising: a hopper for transportinga first supply of seeds; an air flow mechanism for creating a flow ofair through a conduit to engage said first supply of seeds to entrainsaid seeds into a stream of air; a planting mechanism to receive saidflow of air and entrained seeds, said planting mechanism having asingulator for controlling the spacing of seeds being planted into theground; a reservoir operatively coupled with said singulator to providea second supply of seeds for engagement by said singulator, said airflow mechanism directing said flow of air and entrained seeds to saidreservoir; a vent for the dissipation of said air stream, said ventbeing located so that said seed can fall by gravity into said receiver;and a hood covering said vent to minimize the entrance of contaminantsinto said vent.
 36. The seeding implement of claim 35 wherein said ventand said hood are formed as part of said receiver header.
 37. Theseeding implement of claim 36 wherein said hood is arranged such thatsaid vent is covered by said hood irrespective of the position in whichsaid receiver header is oriented.